QUESTIONS AND CLOSE

﻿The last stage of any interview begins when the interviewer gives you control of the conversation in order to ask questions. Preparing for this stage will make a tremendous difference in how you are ultimately evaluated for further consideration.

MANAGING YOUR TIME

Recognize that this stage requires time management. You should have prepared and written out all kinds of questions in advance but you might not have enough time to ask them all and still finish with an effective summary. How will you know if you have time? Ask how much time you have left!

FORMULATING QUESTIONS

This is your chance to convince the interviewer that you want to do this work, you can do the work, and will fit in to their work culture. Your questions should demonstrate curiosity and gather additional details as to the mix of responsibilities:

The position’s priorities

The outcomes expected

The training provided/supported immediately

Performance appraisal criteria

Advancement potential and career path assistance

The work environment factors that may enable someone to succeed.

A few examples of good questions are:

A year from now, what will success look like for this position?

What challenges do you see for the person in this role?

Are there opportunities for growth?

Where do you see the company 5 or 10 years from now?

How did you get your start in ___________?

What’s it like working for _____________?

CLOSING THE INTERVIEW

To wrap up the interview with a strong close, you need to hold control of the conversation, it can be as simple as saying “I think that is all my questions, but let me see if I have forgotten anything.” Use the pause that follows to formulate your closing remarks.

Declaring your confidence in performing the job and stressing that you think you will adapt quickly and fit into their work environment successfully.

Supporting your conclusions with brief references to what you learned during the interview will add to these remarks.

Tell the interviewer that you want them to consider you further

Thank the interviewer for the interview, and ask the crucial last question “What happens next in the process?"

At this point, you might ask about the role of references and offer to connect the employer to them. Having this information will help you keep your references informed and ready to support you on a specific basis.